What was the Women's Land Army during WWII?

The Women's Land Army (WLA) was an organization where women, known as 'land girls', worked on farms to replace male laborers who had joined the military during World War Two.

How many women served in the WLA during World War Two?

Approximately 200,000 women served in the Women's Land Army during World War Two.

What kind of work did Gwen Raggett do as a land girl?

Gwen Raggett performed tasks such as potato picking, thatched roofs, and drove a three-ton lorry during her six years with the Women's Land Army.

Home / War and Conflict / WWII Land Girl's Memories Preserved

WWII Land Girl's Memories Preserved

6 Jan

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Summary

A 99-year-old woman shares her WWII farm work experiences.
Over 200,000 women served as 'land girls' during the war.
A family scrapbook preserves her six years of service memories.

A 99-year-old woman's wartime service as a 'land girl' is being remembered through a family-compiled scrapbook. Gwen Raggett, who left her job in a cinema, dedicated six years to the Women's Land Army (WLA) during World War Two. Her efforts were part of a larger mobilization where approximately 200,000 women stepped in to support crucial agricultural work.

The WLA played a vital role in bolstering the nation's food supply, particularly as imports were threatened by wartime blockades. Gwen, then 17, undertook demanding tasks like potato picking and even learned to operate a three-ton lorry. She lived with about 100 other land girls at Redenham House, recalling the demanding work alongside a spirit of camaraderie and fun.

Though the WLA was disbanded in 1950, official recognition for the land girls came much later, with a commemorative badge awarded in 2007. Gwen's daughter-in-law, Heather Raggett, initiated the preservation of Gwen's extensive collection of photographs and documents, recognizing their historical significance and the importance of remembering these women's contributions to the war effort.